Regarding aspirin, my oncologist recommended it to prevent cancer recurrence specifically, nothing to do with the heart. Here's a related article describing how aspirin was found to reduce cancer diagnosis and colon polyp formation in particular: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention...

Hi, For those of you who have recovered from stage III, how often are you doing colonoscopies? Years ago I was told by my oncologist to do it every 3 years forever. But I've also heard 5. What's the latest advice people are getting? Also, I was told back then to take a daily full-strength (325mg) as...

This month marks 10 years post 3C CRC diagnosis for me. NED and back to normal for many years now. After 3 years without recurrence surveillance dropped way off - they started to suggest I was likely cured at that point. After that I think I had a CT scan (pelvis and torso) one more time at the 4 ye...

I had a very similar experience to Chad, I think. My tumor was about 5cm above and I currently have near pre-cancer function - really doesn't disrupt my life at all. For the first couple years I took Metamucil daily, which really helped bind stuff together and more completely get stuff out all at on...

Reading back this thread thought I would update on how my reversal went. Ileostomy reversal comes with the relief of not having to deal with the bag anymore, but you trade that for having to sit on the toilet a lot. It took me a while to get to the right amount of Metamucil to bulk up the stool - to...

I'm 6.5 years out from treatment and still have some residual neuropathy from the Oxaliplatin, but I don't really think about it anymore. I'd say my feet are different and I can still tell they aren't the way they used to be, but I don't have any numb spots. It's just a little tingly - a different s...

It's been almost 6 years since I took Oxaliplatin. I had some of the same symptoms you describe, and it definitely continued to get worse after I stopped treatment. I had tingly and slightly numb fingers, and I often thought my socks were bunched up in my shoe, or that something was in my shoe, when...

Today is exactly 5 years since my LAR surgery for stage IIIC CRC. I've mostly adapted to the increase in bathroom visits by now (usually fine if I eat right), and almost forgotten that my feet feel different ever since the Oxaliplatin. On the whole I'm back to normal and have been for years now. To ...

Hi Mike, I don't check the board here much anymore - almost 5 years out from 3C rectal - and NED ever since. I was also treated at BWH and DFCI - and I found the team excellent. I did what sounds like the exact same chemorad schedule as you at BWH (down on the LL2 with the Varian Trubeam - if they s...

Update on this thread: I had another colonoscopy this week (about 2 years later) without drugs and again, it really didn't hurt. Yes it was uncomfortable for a couple minutes when they inflated the colon a bit on the way in, but not very bad. You just need to breathe deeply a couple times - it's jus...

Way to go. It's a long trip but you're making it through. So many of us have made it through and survived. You will too. Stay strong.

Like Colace? I did early-on after the ileostomy take-down, but not lately - haven't needed it. But yeah it works and I can't recall any side effects. Definitely something to try.

I've tried Metamucil pills but even if I take like 20 of them they basically don't work. The mix is totally different for me and it works.

No rectum here. I do alright by taking a couple tablespoons of Metamucil before bed and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. I have found that my body has improved over time, so don't lose hope. Experiment with different foods or perhaps walking after eating, which helps me.

I wasn't given a choice to take pills, so my experience was with the pump. I used this thing that was a HUGE lifesaver in terms of living with the pump comfortably: http://poppypocket.net/ I slept with it on and was able to roll around without getting caught up in the tubing, and it also made it eas...